Letter to the Speaker of
the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on the
Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Libya

December 28, 1988

Dear
Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

Section
202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the
automatic termination of a national emergency unless, prior to the anniversary
date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and
transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in
effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have
sent the enclosed notice, stating that the Libyan emergency is to continue in
effect beyond January 7, 1989, to the Federal
Register for publication. A similar notice was sent to the Congress and the
Federal Register on December 15, 1987.

The
crisis between the United States and Libya that led to my
declaration on January 7, 1986, of a national
emergency has not been resolved. The Government of Libya continues to use and
support international terrorism, in violation of international law and minimum
standards of human behavior. Such Libyan actions and policies pose a continuing
unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and vital foreign
policy interests of the United States. For these reasons, I
have determined that it is necessary to maintain in force the broad authorities
necessary to apply economic pressure to the Government of Libya to reduce its
ability to support international terrorism.

Sincerely,

Ronald
Reagan

Note: Identical letters
were sent to Jim Wright, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and George
Bush, President of the Senate.